My Writing "Why"

geralt via Pixabay

Back in May, I shared the who, what and when of my writing. Looking back, I realize I didn't address the where (anywhere!), why or how. Recently, I came across the notes I'd jotted down about my "why," and I thought I'd share them here.

When it comes to my "why," the first thing that comes to mind is something I remember a late theatre friend saying. Earl said about actors that "we act because we can't not act." The same is true of writers. Whether we write for ourselves, for an audience, or just because we find the mere act satisfying, writers have to write. We feel weird and somehow empty (or annoyed) when we don't. Or can't.

Personally, I love the idea of creating a book -- that never gets old! Manuscripts creep along a word, a sentence, a paragraph, a page at a time. You'd be amazed at how much time writers sometimes spend finding that "just right" word (and don't even get me started on character names!), which means the paragraphs and pages come that much more slowly. But to get to the end, to see the finished product with my name on the cover? That's the equivalent of opening night. (Thanks for the analogy, Earl).

As someone who writes both fiction and non-fiction, the reasons for each sometimes diverge and sometimes overlap. I want to entertain -- that's true of fiction and non-fiction -- because no one wants to read (or write) a boring book. But, as an educator, I also want to share what I've learned and, as a counselor, I want to help. I get really excited when people tell me that Know Thyself helped them, or that a blog post I wrote gave them an idea that made a difference. By no means do I know everything (though, as a Jersey girl, I can make a convincing show of believing I do), but I like to share what I do know in the hope that it makes a difference to someone else. 

When it comes to my fiction, I've often said that I write characters I'd like to hang out with (Jim notwithstanding). I want them to be flawed and real but with kind enough hearts that readers can forgive their missteps and bad decisions. I love creating characters and imagining where their personalities will take them -- and the story -- and I'm honored when people tell me they can identify.

I've been writing for longer than I can remember, and writing for publication for nearly thirty years. It's part of who I am, and I'm grateful every day for the people who show up to read what I write. 

Thanks for being one of them.